Major bridge on Mumbai-Goa highway collapses; two buses with 22 people onboard missing

MUMBAI: At least two buses and several other vehicles went missing early on Wednesday, after a major bridge on Mumbai-Goa Highway linking Mahad and Poladpur collapsed due to torrential rains in the Konkan region.

There are no reports on the whereabouts of the 22 people missing from the two buses. Nearly a dozen vehicles are also feared to have flown away with the water current.

The buses include one travelling between Jaigad-Mumbai and another Rajapur-Borivali. District Collector Sheetal Ugale-Teli and Police superintendent Suvez Haque are present at the location.

Follow Devendra Fadnavis ✔ @Dev_Fadnavis Raigad Collector confirms that one way traffic is now resumed on the new bridge. 3:07 AM – 3 Aug 2016 60 60 Retweets 156 156 likes District administration officials and NDRF team have been rushed to the spot for rescue and immediate measures.

NDRF has sent one team comprising of 50 men for relief operations, NDRF DG told ANI.

He further added, “There were two parallel bridges: One is a new bridge and one constructed during the British era. The old one got collapsed. The primary reason seems to be the high pressure caused due to flooding of river Savitri due to heavy rains in catchment of Mahabaleshwar,”

Follow Devendra Fadnavis ✔ @Dev_Fadnavis There is no confirmed assessment about casualties since the area is very dark. Administration will ensure speedy rescue & relief operations. 2:43 AM – 3 Aug 2016 84 84 Retweets 170 170 likes The Chief Minister also said that there is no confirmed assessment, adding, “Administration will ensure speedy rescue & relief operations.”